Apple Sees Record iPhone Demand as Cook Era Nears End
Apple has seen demand for its iPhone reach new heights, with sales growth in China outpacing all other regions, according to financial results released on Thursday.
Overall, sales of Apple products grew 17% to $111 billion (£81 billion) in the first three months of the year, compared to the same quarter a year ago. Sales in China surged by 28%, making it the fastest-growing market.
Tim Cook, Apple’s outgoing chief executive, said that recent demand for the iPhone had been “extraordinary,” setting a sales record for the quarter. This marks Cook’s final quarterly earnings report as CEO — he will hand over the reins to John Ternus in September after 15 years at the helm.
Despite continued success with the iPhone, sales of Apple’s other products, including the Mac computer and wearable devices like the Apple Watch and AirPods, remained relatively flat.
Analysts noted that the strong iPhone growth was largely driven by AI-powered features. Apple Intelligence, launched last year with smart writing tools, image generation, and an enhanced Siri, has sparked a significant upgrade cycle. The recovery in China is particularly notable, as Apple has regained consumer interest after several quarters of decline.
Ternus, widely described as a “product guy,” has held senior positions in hardware engineering and has overseen the development of the iPhone and Mac product lines. Markets expect him to continue Apple’s push into artificial intelligence and augmented reality under his leadership.
Apple currently faces multiple challenges: global supply chain uncertainty, escalating technology competition between the US and China, and fierce rivalry from Samsung and Huawei. Additionally, antitrust regulatory pressure in both the EU and the US continues to intensify.
Despite this complex landscape, Apple’s strong earnings demonstrate that its brand loyalty and product ecosystem remain resilient. As the Cook era draws to a close, Apple is about to enter a new chapter.
Source: BBC News